3 p.m. update: Duke Energy reports that more than 100,000 customers lost power in Indiana as a result of the ice storm, and the utility had restored power to all but 43,000 of those customers across the state by Thursday afternoon.
Freezing rain that coated the Bartholomew County area overnight causes more damage to Duke’s electrical system than any other form of precipitation, according to the utility.
Duke Energy cautioned customers who have special needs or medical indicators that they may wish to make alternative arrangements in the event of an extended power outage caused by this storm.
2:30 p.m. update: By mid-afternoon, the number of customers without power was down to 3,900 in Bartholomew and Brown counties, but that number also represented 159 different reports, meaning the utility still had a large amount of work to do, according to Duke Energy officials.
Power restoration times were not being given on Thursday as the work continued, and crews who had been on 16 hours were sent home to sleep while additional workers were brought in as their replacements. Crews will work through the night in the hopes of having power restored to all customers soon.
Bartholomew County REMC is currently listing about 200 customers still without power at mid-afternoon.
2 p.m. update: The following athletic events have been rescheduled:
- North’s boys basketball scrimmage against Bedford North Lawrence has been postponed to 6 p.m. Saturday.
- East’s girls basketball game against East Central has been postponed. No makeup date yet.
10:40 a.m. update: Bartholomew County REMC is reporting its outage numbers are going up slightly as more reports continue to come in of tree and tree limbs tangling with power lines and falling. There are 1,171 REMC customers without power, and eight crews are already stationed in the areas that are most hard-hit to address outages as they crop up, said Marty Lasure, REMC spokeswoman. Any Bartholomew REMC customer who needs to report an outage should call 811-927-5672.
9 a.m. update: Duke Energy is reporting that the number of customers without power in the Columbus area has climbed to 5,000, largely the result of tree limbs breaking off into power lines. Work is continuing throughout the city, including using contracted crews to restore power.
8 a.m. update: Duke Energy is reporting that 4,000 customers have had their power restored so far in the Columbus area, with about 4,200 customers still without power.
To report an outage, call 800-343-3525. Additional staff has been called in to call centers to assist customers. Outage maps are available at duke-energy.com.
Duke provides power to 55,000 customers in Indiana.
7:50 a.m. update: Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp. has changed its status from a two hour delay to closed.
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. has canceled classes for all of its schools today because of icy roads and power outages, school officials said.
Flat Rock-Hawcreek Schools issued a 2-hour delay this morning.
Columbus firefighter were called to the scene of a house fire in the 2200 block of Wallace Avenue at 7:40 a.m. this morning. Firefighters the occupants of the home did get out of the structure and it was reported as an attic fire.
Columbus police and Bartholomew County sheriff deputies reported several traffic lights were out throughout Columbus and the county, including State Road 46 at State Road 9 and on Jonathan Moore Pike at Goeller.
Utility crews from Duke Energy and REMC are out in the field in an attempt to restore power.
Duke initially reported 9,000 customers lost power in Brown and Bartholomew Counties, but that number was cut to 4,200 by 7:15 a.m. Thursday, Duke Energy spokesman Chip Orben said.
“Our crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power,” Orben said.
Duke customers who are out of power should call 1-800-343-3525.
Bartholomew County REMC also reported power outages.
As of 6:43 a.m. Thursday, 894 REMC customers in Bartholomew County were without power, the company said.
“Crews will be working diligently to restore power, but are fighting frozen, brittle lines and icy conditions,” REMC said. “Please use caution in getting out on the roads this morning.”
The National Weather Service issued an ice storm warning until noon today for areas of central and southern Indiana, including Bartholomew County.
Up to a quarter-inch of ice and an inch of snow is forecast for the county, according to the weather service, which explained:
“An Ice Storm Warning means significant amounts of ice
accumulation will make travel dangerous or impossible. Travel is
strongly discouraged. If you must travel, keep an extra
flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an
emergency. Snapped power lines and falling tree branches are also
possible.”
A Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect today from noon to 7 p.m.
According to the weather service, a Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. “Expect snow-covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving,” the weather service said.
The latest road conditions for Indiana can be obtained by calling 1-800-261-7623.
